Located up in the northernmost part of the archipelago, quite distant from any of the central islands, this particular place is extremely interesting. Isolation has been the key here for sea birds and they are within the most numerous inhabitants of the place. The early morning light gives us a very good opportunity to see the walls of the crater that collapsed a few million years ago.

This place has a special kind of atmosphere. Nazca boobies, Swallow tailed gulls and the very colorful Red footed boobies together with the very contrasting landscape, make it as one of the very interesting sites to be explored around this enchanted archipelago.

Prince Philip’s Steps, and the lava plateaus that have been conquered by Palo Santo trees on this side of the island, is the nesting territory for more boobies. As we head for a walk in the open area we find ourselves surrounded again by lava flows. We also see thousands of storm petrels covering the sky. At a first glimpse they look like clouds of mosquitos that are normally found on jungle areas. It is incredible to see how much activity can be found in this bizarre and distant place. As the petrels come here to nest, their predator – the Short Eared owl – quietly waits for them on the open fields, looking for the perfect time to attack.

Due to rain this year, it seems like life on this island is not as difficult as it is most of the time. Sea birds somehow seem to notice the difference and the place itself looks very lush, especially comparing it with some drought years that made the struggle for survival a lot more intense.

The white coralline beach and the red mangroves on this island are the nesting place for Red footed Boobies. Minor frigate bird males are beginning with their mating ritual again today. A few bachelors are displaying their half inflated pouches to females that don’t seem to be particularly interested in them yet!

The images of today, we are sure, will remain in our heads for the rest of our lives; what a special way to end our expedition around this enchanted archipelago; we know now that these particular islands will never leave us…